Joseph Caraud (1821-1905, French) attended the École des Beaux-Arts and studied under Alexandre Abel de Pujol, a former student of Jacques Louis David. However, even before attending the Beaux-Arts, Caraud had already exhibited his works in the Salon and was quite successful.
Caraud’s paintings are in the 18th century style and are reminiscent of the works of Fragonard, Greuz and Watteau. His works stood out because they did not follow the new style of realism that had taken over France. Instead of pastoral scenes painted in dark colors, Caraud painted domestic scenes with vivid light and warm colors. His historical depictions capture the upper classes and bourgeois of the Louis XV era in highly detailed interior scenes. His works were popular amongst the upper classes and soon were copied so that anyone could own a Caraud. Caraud’s depictions of pretty women with cats are a reflection of the times. Victorians were just opening their homes to pets as a symbol of their control over nature and the lower classes.
In 1867, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. He also participated in the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris where he earned a bronze medal. Caraud continued his involvement in the Parisian Salons and exhibitions until 1902 when he exhibited Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden) for his final showing. He died in 1905. The exact date is unknown.
Femme de chambre, 1875
Feline Affection, 1872
Idle Time
Woman with Cat
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